WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Curt Moody and Antoine Predock are building on their dreams. Announced last week, the two architecture firms led by Moody and Predock,
Moody Nolan and Antoine Predock Architect PC, have been named to the design shortlist for the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Along with five other architecture teams, Moody and Predock will participate in the coveted design competition and submit a formal design proposal for the museum project. Serving as co-designers, Predock's internationally recognized design talents will blend with Moody's African American experience.

"It's a remarkable time in history to be an American, and for me, it's an equally extraordinary time to be an African American architect," said Moody, president and CEO of Moody Nolan. "To be part of this design shortlist, and among such prestigious company, is not only a milestone for Moody Nolan, but it's also a personal achievement I have been working toward my entire career. With this project, we have an opportunity to truly embrace and preserve African American history and culture. I'm confident that our abilities will continue to propel us forward in this selection process."

Blueprints of Success

Serving as a representation for the rich heritage of the African American community, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will likely be the last museum built on the grounds between the Washington Monument and Capitol. Designs drafted by the six contending teams must incorporate sustainable and energy-efficient attributes in order for the $500 million project to be recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council with a LEED(R) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating, making it the Smithsonian's first LEED-certified museum and the first official "green" building on the National Mall. Construction on the museum's five-acre plot is expected to begin in 2012 and should be completed in 2015. Chosen from among 22 other architecture firms, each of the six teams on the shortlist have eight weeks to develop their proposed design for the museum, and the selected team will have three years to complete its final renderings.

Design Dream Team

Having collectively worked on more than 15 recent museum projects, collaborated on multi-million dollar designs, demonstrated an aptitude for creative and signature design, and a combined team of more than 50 licensed architects and 300 licensed engineers, Moody Nolan and Antoine Predock Architect PC surpassed the Smithsonian Institution's selection criteria for the design shortlist.

"Our firms' long-standing relationship is a definite asset for this project," said Predock, the sole principal of Antoine Predock Architect PC. "We've worked together for 10 years and have collaborated on multiple projects, including a signature project for The Ohio State University totaling nearly $160 million. Our collaboration is based on the principles of competence, passion and talent, and fully aligns our vision for this opportunity."

Further setting them apart, Moody and Predock are recipients of the Gold Medal Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) -- the highest honor bestowed by the organization -- and Predock has also received a Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt Lifetime Achievement Award. Similarly, Moody's portfolio has captured 28 design awards from the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) -- more awards than any other minority firm in the U.S. -- and he was also the recipient of NOMA's 2008 Presidents Exemplary Service Award, the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award from AIA and the inaugural NOMA "Firm of the Year" award.

About MoodyNolan

Founded in 1982 by Curtis J. Moody, FAIA, NCARB, and Howard E. Nolan, PE, in Columbus, Ohio, Moody Nolan (
www.moodynolan.com) has since worked in more than 40 states. Specializing in public assembly facilities, higher education, sports/recreation, student focused and health care, Moody Nolan has been recognized with more than 135 local, state and national design citations, and was named the 2006-2007 Gold Medal Firm of the Year by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Ohio Chapter. The more than 170-person firm has locations in Covington, Ky., Cleveland, Indianapolis, Nashville, Kansas City, Mo. and Washington D.C.

About Antoine Predock Architect PC

Established in 1967, Antoine Predock Architect PC is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico with offices in Los Angeles and Taipei. As the sole principal of Antoine Predock Architect PC, Antoine has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Rome Prize in 1985, the American Institute of Architects 2006 Gold Medal and the 2007 Smithsonian

Cooper-Hewitt Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, the firm has won more than 20 design competitions.